User Reviews

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Submitted by
BernieD.
a Audio Enthusiast

Date Reviewed: August 4, 2013

Bottom Line:

This is actually a review of the B&K 200.2, but since that isn't a listed model, I'll add it here.
The 200.2 is a high current and powerful amplifier. This model is 75 amps, per channel, or 150 amps for both sides! Rated at 225 Watts RMS per ch. into 8 ohms, and a solid 375 watts RMS into 4 ohms. It ran a set of Infinity Kappa 8's without any problems at all, and those speakers can drop to 1.5 ohms at lower frequencies.
It ran my Carver ALS Platinums too. These speakers are notorious amp killers! The B&K had no problems at all. Very surprising as a 350 watt amplifier ran out of steam and might have caught fire if I hadn't caught it in time!
Sound wise, it's very neutral and smooth. No edgy grain as in many a solid state amplifier. The bass has just the right balance of "punch", and "growl". The mids are warm and potent. The highs are sweet and delicate.
Compared to a Hafler XL600 - the B&K was cleaner, and lower in distortion, easily heard on sustained highs.
Compared to an Acurus 250A, there was no real comparison. While the Acurus was powerful, and ran cool - The B&K was simply better EVERYWHERE.
Compared to an Adcom 5500 - the B&K was smoother and less grainy - the Adcom seemed a tad more open in the mid band, but that upper end edginess left the B&K the winner in my book. Bass was close to equal, and highs to the B&K.
Compared to a near factory restored Phase Linear 700B - the Phase sounded weak and fuzzy. I say near factory as the restorer was a former PL technician and really knows his stuff. A weak and fuzzy sounding 350 watt amplifier? Well, they were also called Fuzz Linears, and even worse, Flame Linears although the latter wasn't really fair as they did catch fire on stage, but that was in a rigorous pro application, and the Phase Linears were made for home use(initially...).
Compared to a Carver 1.5t, again they didn't compare especially on lower impedance speakers. The B&K was much better.

These are fairly recent amplifiers and if you have the need for a strong amplifier that seems unbreakable, you might consider grabbing one up. B&K is now owned by ATI, who have silently acquired a good number of American audio brands, BGW of movie theaters and other demanding venues comes to mind. Support then remains available for this all American brand. B&K never marketed their brand very well, and it could be argued that they felt free to "borrow" good ideas and designs from others; but that is how things happen in Audio, and consider this - all cars use windshield wipers... Every brand seems to borrow much from previous designs, and may actually improve on them. It is my opinion that B&K did just that, and I'm glad to see that ATI is continuing the brand and supporting the dealers too. Now if ATI really gets the marketing act together, then I can easily see B&K as becoming one of the top audio component brands on the shelves of better audio dealers.

I found one of these used for a very good price and at first thought I had a dead channel. Make sure the button to select the balanced or unbalanced input has been pushed a couple times if you need to change it, it kinda gets stuck. As for the rest of the amp, it is absolutely brilliant. Classic class A Mosfet design. Very uncolored sound, what goes in is what comes out. I am a Klipsch fan and this works great with the big horns. The 125 watts/channel is more than enough. I cannot speak to the ability to drive low impedance loads or low sensitivity drivers. It is a little warm at long loud listening intervals on high sensitivity high impedance loads, so it may not be appropriate for some users. I liken it to a Hafler 500, lots of clean power available, doesn't do anything you wouldn't expect. Does have balanced inputs (xlrs) which is nice for connectivity. Huge amp, large case with huge transformer and caps. MADE IN THE USA!! If you find one or one of its brothers, buy it.